It is madness that South Sydney has now backed Latrell Mitchell to make his rugby league return from injury in the upcoming Koori Knockout during NRL grand final week.
It comes amid huge controversy with the NRL set to deny the Rabbitohs’ request for Mitchell to serve his one game ban following the white substance scandal in this weekend’s final round clash against the Roosters.
While no official decision has been made public, it is now likely Mitchell will be forced to sit out the opening NRL round of next season after Wayne Bennett arrives back at the club.
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But that hasn’t stopped the Rabbitohs giving Mitchell the green light to play in the Koori Knockout.
Mitchell announced this week that he had put his hand up to play in the tournament that will be played in Bathurst from October 4 to 7.
This is despite the Rabbitohs’ million dollar man not playing NRL since round 18 due to a Lisfranc foot injury.
In light of the NRL’s stance, I asked Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly if Mitchell would still go ahead with his plan to play for Taree with the club’s approval.
Solly responded in a text: “Latrell is fit and available to play. We support the tournament and any of our players who are fit, available and want to play; we support them playing in it.
“It’s an important event for them and the community.”
The Rabbitohs reportedly supplied the NRL with documentation from three medical experts as part of their submission to prove Mitchell’s fitness.
While no one disputes the importance of the Koori Knockout tournament, it is still a massive call from Souths that will likely divide many fans.
We all know how willing the Koori Knockout can get, and the bigger a player’s reputation, the more attention he gets.
Given Mitchell’s recent injury on the back of the emotional turmoil that has surrounded him in recent weeks, it would be a disaster if he goes out cops some unnecessary punishment that could potentially put in danger his preseason training.
Especially when it could so easily be avoided.
Source Agencies
